Folding table



I Dec. 19, 1944.

1.. H. BURLIN 2,365,451

FOLDING TABLE Filed Oct. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l jizaemi? Dec. 19, 1944. L BURUN 2,365,451

FOLDING TABLE Filed Oct. 19, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 19, 1944 FOLDING TABLE Leslie H. Burlin, Valparaiso, IntL, assignor to Milton L. Sturm, Evanston, Ill., doing business as Milton Sturm & Company, Chicago, 111.

Application October 19, 1942, Serial No. 462,645

9 Claims.

This invention relates to folding tables.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a, collapsible or folding table which is so constructed that when folded the opposite sides are flat to facilitate storage of the table in a small space and to facilitate stacking of a plurality of such tables one against or on top of another in a minimum amount of space and without a likelihood of parts of one table marring or scratching parts of'another table. This is accomplished by providing an arrangement wherein the links or legs of the table, which normally support the table, are collapsible in a position on the interior of the table, substantially entirely protected, whereby there are no links or levers projecting from opposite surfaces of the collapsed table.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a collapsible table with a plurality of legs each of which consists of two or more links pivoted together and 'foldable from a position of toggle when the table is extended, to a position of substantial parallelism when the table is unfolded.

It is a still further object of the present in- 'vention to provide such a table with a simple and reliable means for preventing wobbling or movement of the links when and if a certain amount of play develops at the link pivots. As a result of this arrangement the table remains sturdy and does not tend to wobble even after there has been considerable wear and resulting developed looseness at the pivots of the links of the table legs.

' The attainment of'the above and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional view through a table embodying the present invention, said table being in its unfolded position, said view being taken "along the line l-l of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 1-1 of Figure 5.

Like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of drawings.

The table of the present invention has a table top I which, in the present instance, has been illustrated as circular although it is to be understood that the top may be of any other desired shape. Around the bottom' side of the table top I there is a circular rim 2, as is usualin tables. The underside of the table top I is reenforced by three symmetrically spaced cross bars 5 and three radial bars 6 that are secured to the underside of the table top. The top of the table I is supported from a fiat circular base I by three similar folding legs 9 of identical construction. Each leg includes an upper link l2 and a lower link l3 pivoted together and to the table top and base, respectively. For this purpose the link l2 consists of two similar wooden side members I 4-14 rigidly secured together by a cross board [5. The three table legs are symmetrically spaced apart about the center of the table.

Since the three legs are of identical construction and are mounted in position in exactly the same manner, a description of oneoi the legs and the manner of mounting the same will suffice also for the other two. In order to pivot the side members I-4-l4 of a leg to the table top the underside of the table top I is provided with a pair of spaced downwardly projecting lugs I'l-ll that are rigidly secured thereto in any desired manner. A pivot or dowel pin l8 passes between one of the members l4 and the lug ll. A similar pivot pin passes between the other member l4 and the other lug ll, the two pivot pins l8-l8 being in alignment. Each pivot pin I8 is journalled also in a bar l9 secured to the underside of the table top I. The link I2 is thus pivoted to swing about the pins [8 as a center. The lower link l3 consists of a pair of similar members 20-20 joined together bya board 2! to form one unitary structure. The members 20-20 embrace the members i l-l4 and are pivoted thereto by pivot 01' dowel pins 22-22. The lower ends of the members 20-20 are pivoted by pivot pins 23-23 to tongues 24- 24 that are rigidly mounted in the base I. It is to be noted thatthe lower ends 25-25 of the links 20 are outwardly flared. This serves two distinct purposes. First, it gives a wide base for the legs and, second, it'allows the members 20- 20 to straddle the members 14-44 and their mounting lugs l'l-l'l when the table is in its collapsed position, asillustrated in Figure 4.

When the table is in its extended position the three legs thereof are substantially vertical, the links I3-I4 of each leg being in toggle position. They are held in toggle position by a releasable holding toggle .28 consisting of two links 29-39 of the same length, pivoted together at 3|. The link 39 is pivoted to one of the members I4 of the associated leg by a pivot or dowel pin 32.

The other link 29 is pivoted by a pin 33 to a Three small fiat boards 35 are secured respectively to the undersides of the three radial bars 6. The edges 36 of the bars are in position to be abutted by the members I4 of the respective links I2. The toggle 28 holds the members I4 of the associated link I2 in firm pressure engagement with the edges 36 of the two adjacent boards 35. Therefore, if any play should develop at the holes for the pivot pins I8 of the links I2 the toggle link 28 will force the members I4 of the associated link I 2 to fulcrum about the edge 39 of the board 35 and force the end of the link and the pivot pin I8 to the extreme position regardless of any play that may have developed in the hole provided for the pin I8.

Dowel pins 39-39 are provided in each of the members 29-29 of the lower link I3. These dowel pins serve as stops to limit the extent of unfolding of the links I2-I3 of each leg. so that when the table is in its extended position the members I I-I4 of each leg are supported by the two pins 22-22 and the two pins 39-39.

In order to fold the table it is merely necessary to break the toggles 28 of the respective legs by moving the associated toggle pivots 3| of the toggles downwardly. Each link I2 swings about the pivots I8-I8 into engagement with the underside of the table top I. At the same time the toggle links 29-39 move into position side by side between the members I 4-H! of the link I2, and are covered by the board I5. As the links l2 of the respective legs are swinging about their pivots I8, each pivot 22 is swinging towards the underside of the table top, and the pivots 23 are moving towards the pivots I8. When the link I reaches its extreme folded position, illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the members 29-29 of the link l3 embrace the members I4-I4 of the link I2, and the ends 25-25 of the members 29 embrace and lie on the outside of the lugs I'I-I'I clearing those lugs by a small amount. At that time the base 'I overlies the pivotal connections between the links I2 and the table top, as may be seen from Figure 4.

It is to be noted, particularly in Figure 6, that the pivot pin 22 and the lug or stop 39 are positioned off center with respect to the center of the links. This is for the purpose of facilitating the folding action'so that when the two links of the leg are folded the board 2| of the link I3 overlies and is parallel to the board I5 of the link I2. The tongues 24 of the base 1 are spaced from the lug I! of the table top, an amount sufficient for the ends 25 of the lower links l3 to clear the lugs I! so that the tongues 24 may move substantially into contact with the underside of the table top when the table is folded. By this arrangement the lower side of the base extends substantially fiush with the lower side of the rim 2 when the table is folded, as may be seen from Figure 3. This produces a neat and compact arrangement which facilitates storage of the table. Furthermore, during storage of the table none of the pivots of the respective links are subjected to stress of the type that might injure the structure.

In the table herein illustrated the vertical distance between the pivots I8 and 22 is the same as the vertical distance between the pivots 23 and 22. Difierent relative lengths may be used. However, in order to facilitate folding of the table in the manner illustrated in Figure 3, the effective length of the link I2 plus the distance of the axis of the pivots I8 from the center 49 of the table is made equal to the effective length of the link I3 plus the distance from the pivot axis 23 to the center of the table. Thus if the link I2 is of the same effective length as the link I3 then the effective distance from the table center to the pivot axis I8 is made the same as the eifective distance from the table center to the pivot axis 23. If the link I2 is made shorter than the link I3 then its pivot I8 is placed correspondingly farther from the center of the table. By this arrangement the folding action of the table is such that as the table top moves towards the bottom it is always parallel to the bottom I.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is. however, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction here shown, the same being merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. What I consider new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding table including a table top, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a set of pivotally connected upper and lower links pivoted respectively to the top and to the base about fixed pivots, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link at the pivot between them, the two members of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufiicient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to and embracing one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, means to limit the pivoting 0f the links in their unfolding direction, and releasable means forholding the links in their extended position, said releasable means being located between the base and the top and foldable into a position between them upon collapsing of the table.

2. A folding table including a table top, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a set of pivotally connected upper and lower links pivoted respectively to the top and to the base about fixed pivots, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link at the pivot between them, the two members of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufiicient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to and embracing one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, stop means carried by one. of

the links and cooperating with the other link to limit the pivoting of the links in their unfolding direction, and releasable means for holding the links in their extended position, said releasable means being located between the base and the top and foldable into a position between them upon collapsing of the table. v

3. A folding table including a table top, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a set of pivotally connected upper and lower links pivoted respectively to the top and to the base, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link at the pivot between them, the two members of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufiicient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to one another to an extended to gle position substantiall in alignment with one another, releasable means for holding the links in their extended toggle position, and means urging the links of ech leg out of the toggle position and against said releasable means to take up the free play at the link pivots.

4. A folding table including a table top, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a 'set of pivotally connected upper and lower links bers of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance suflicient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, the links of the legs being pivoted to the top and to the base about pivot axes spaced the same distance around a common center, whereby the base and the tabletop remain parallel to one another throughout the folding and unfolding of the table, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by positionsubstantially parallel to one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, stop means carried by one of the links and cooperating with the other link to limit the pivoting of the links in their unfolding direction, and releasable means for holding the links in their extended position, said releasable means being located between the base and the top and foldable into a position between them upon collapsing of the table.

5. A folding table including a table top, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a set of pivotally connected upper and lower links pivoted respectively to the top and to the base about parallel axes, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link at the pivot between them, the two members of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufficient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, the pivot axes of the respective legs to the top and to the base being spaced around a common center with the axes of some of the legs at an angle to the axes of other of the legs, whereby the base and the table top remain parallel to one another throughout the folding and unfolding of the table, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, stop means carried byone of the links and cooperating with theother link to limit the pivoting of the links in their unfolding direction, and releasable means for holding the links in their extended position, said releasable means being located between the base and the top and foldable into a position between them upon collapsing of the table.

6. A folding table including a tabletop, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a set of pivotally connected upper and lower links pivoted respectively to the top and to the base, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link at the pivot between them, the two members of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufficient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, the links of the legs being pivoted to the top and to the base about pivot axes spaced around a common center, in each leg the length of the link that is pivoted to the table top plus the distance of its top pivot from the common center being the same as the length of the other link plus the distance between its base pivot and the common center, whereby the base andthe table top remain parallel to one another throughout the folding and unfolding of the table, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, stop means tolimit the pivoting of the links in their unfolding direction, releasable means for holding the links in their extended position, said releasable means being located beiii tween the base and the top and foldable into a position between them upon collapsing of the table, and means urging the links of each leg out of the toggle position and against said releasable means to take up the free play at the link pivots.

7, A folding table comprising a table top, a base, a plurality of legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising an upper link pivoted to the table top, a lower link pivoted to the base, means pivotally connecting the upper and lower link of a leg together, the two links of each leg being substantially in toggle position when the table is unfolded, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link at the pivot between them, the two members of said one leg being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufficient to receive the other link of the same leg between them, said links of each leg being foldable to a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to and embracing one another.

8. A folding table including a table top, a base parallel thereto, a plurality of folding. legs between the top and the base, each leg comprising a set of pivotally connected upper and lower links pivoted respectively to the top and to the base, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link of the leg, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, and releasable means associated with only one of the legs for holding the links of that one leg in their extended toggle position, said one held leg acting through the base to prevent the folding of the other legs out of their extended toggle positions.

9. A table. including a plurality of folding legs each of which comprises a set of pivotally eonnected upper and lower links, one of the links of each leg comprising a pair of members embracing the other link of the same leg at the pivot between them, the two members of said one link being spaced apart throughout their length a distance sufiicient to receive the other link of the. same leg between them, said links of each leg being foldable from a collapsed side by side position substantially parallel to and embracing one another to an extended toggle position substantially in alignment with one another, and releasable means for holding the links of the legs in their extended positions.

LESLIE H. BURLIN. 

